Closing Off Forest Roads Hasn't Hampered Hunters

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST — Recent closings of some forest roads have been met by both cheers and protests, but hunters have had better results in the woods this year than last.

In managing the Ocala National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service is caught between those groups supporting and opposing road closings. Jim Thorsen, ranger for the Seminole District of the Ocala Forest, said some roads were closed to protect environmentally sensitive areas.

Those most opposed to closing roads are hunters, especially those who hunt with dogs. Among the strongest supporters for road closings are environmentalists with Florida Earth First! in Gainesville.

For several years, they have called for protecting much of the forest from human intrusion, which includes homes, loggers and cars.

''We're definitely in favor of more road closures,'' said Susan Marynowski of Florida Earth First! ''Roads increase human access. That's not necessarily bad, but it can lead to habitat disturbance.''

Determining what result the closings of some forest roads has had on hunting is complicated by fluctuations in deer population, the availability of food such as acorns, and weather.

''There's no way to measure,'' said Robert Barbee, a biologist with the state Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission in Ocala. ''But I haven't heard any complaints.''

Stations run by the game commission counted 205 deer killed by hunters in the Ocala National Forest during the season's opening weekend of Nov. 9 and 10.

During the next week, hunters took another 256 deer from the forest. During the last two weeks of November, the count dipped to 143, which was slightly less than the same period last year.

This year's count is about 30 deer ahead of the count during the same period last year, Barbee said.

Like Florida Earth First!, hikers and even some hunters also support closing roads.

Mike Willis, owner of the Eustis Outdoor Shop, said the way hunters regard road closings depends on the way they hunt. Many of those who hunt from stands are more in favor of further road closings, he said.

The Florida Trails Association, which maintains about 100 miles of trails through the Ocala National Forest, has no official policy toward road closings.

Dick Schuler, a spokesman in DeLeon Springs for the association of about 5,000 members, said even after further road closings there will be enough roads to get to most places in the forest.

''I've killed a lot of deer myself in my younger years, but I think you have to keep a perspective on keeping the forest healthy,'' Schuler said.

In the Seminole District's 181,000 acres, which cover much of the national forest's southern half, there are 999 miles of road. About 830 miles are mainly secondary roads that often require four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Some of those roads were created out of fire trails and some have left ruts through wetlands areas, Thorsen said.

The secondary roads closed include about 25 miles in the area of Buck Lake and Chain O Lakes, which are two miles west of State Road 19, and about 15 miles of road elsewhere in the district.